Konar Foundation gives $1.5M for Nazareth College institute

Nazareth College of Rochester has received a $1.5 million gift to renovate the Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute, which expands the existing educational and clinical facilities in the school of health and human services.

The gift came from the William and Sheila Konar Foundation, and in honor of the Konars' support of music therapy and other creative arts the college is naming the William and Sheila Konar Creative Arts Therapy Wing.

The $16.5 million institute is set to open by fall 2015.

"The generous gift from the William and Sheila Konar Foundation will help make Nazareth's Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute a reality," said Daan Braveman, Nazareth president. "In this new institute, we will train the next generation of health care providers in our region, create opportunities for research and provide clinical services that address the wellness and rehabilitation needs of members of the larger community."

William Konar has been involved with Nazareth for more than three decades. He was appointed to the board of trustees in 1993, and in 1996 established the Konar Family Scholarship, which has funded more than 50 scholarships.